10. - Christian Civics: "Seeking The Greatest Good For The Greatest
Number, With Basic Rights For All."
DEFEATING TERRORISM: Plans and Strategies To Defeat Terrorism
http://www.loveallpeople.org/defeatingterrorism.htmlMore like this at our website =>
Christian Policies In Government And Politics- "Seeking The Greatest Good
For The Greatest Number, With Basic Rights For All."

Blessings to you, whoever reads this message. May
you thrive and prosper in all things. May the One God,
Creator of all things, and His only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, guide you and protect you and
comfort you and love you, now and forever.

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not not represent the views of Rev. Bill McGinnis

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CAST YOUR CARES ON JESUS - Be Anxious For Nothing
Jesus is our Lord and our Saviour. We have given ourselves to Him, so we
now belong to Him. He has been given all power in Heaven and Earth, so we
should let Him take care of these things for us. We are overstepping our
boundaries when we feel we have to figure everything out for ourselves.
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FOLLOW THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, RESTATED FOR THE GENTILES
Based on Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-22, with specific references
to Israel removed.

1. Do not put anything ahead of God your Creator.
2. Do not make or worship idols.
3. Do not take the name of God in vain.
4. Take one day of complete rest each week, in honor of God.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. Do not commit murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not tell lies against anyone.
10. Do not covet other people's possessions.

This is His one commandment which summarizes all the others:
********************************************************
"This is my commandment, that you love one another
as I have loved you." (John 15:12 RSV)
********************************************************

This is not just one more commandment He added to a list. This one
commandment summarizes all the others: "Love one another as I have loved
you." "
NOTE: "Love one another" means "love all people," not just "love other
Christians."

Complete List Of The Commandments Of Jesus
Here, then, is the complete list of all the Commandments which Jesus
taught His disciples to observe, as I have found them recorded in the four
Gospels.

It is always possible that I have overlooked a commandment or two. So in
order to make sure for yourself, please buy a Bible with the words of
Jesus written in red. Then read the red words first, and see for yourself!
As Jesus said, "the words I speak to you, they are spirit and they are
life." (John 6:63b KJV)

Summary List Of The Commandments Of Jesus
I. The Universal Moral Law
A. The Law Of Love
"First, love God your Creator more than anything
else. Then, love all other people the same as you
love yourself."

B. The Ten Commandments
1. "Do not put anything ahead of God your Creator."
2. "Do not make or worship idols."
3. "Do not take the name of God in vain."
4. "Take one day of complete rest each week, in honor of God."
5. "Honor your father and your mother."
6. "Do not commit murder."
7. "Do not commit adultery."
8. "Do not steal."
9. "Do not tell lies against anyone."
10. "Do not covet other people's possessions."
C. The Golden Rule
"Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."

II. The Other Commandments Of Jesus

1. "FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU."
(Forgive, and be forgiven.)
2. "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN."
3. "ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU."
4. "LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS." (Do not hide your light
under a basket.)
5. "END DISPUTES QUICKLY."
6. "WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT."
7. "DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL."
8. "DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE." (Turn the other cheek.)
9. "GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED."
(Go the extra mile.)
10. "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU."

11. "GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVAL
FROM OTHER PEOPLE."
12. "PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE."
13. "MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD'S PRAYER."
14. "WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW."
15. "STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH."
16. "DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS."
17. "DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE."
18. "MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF
ALL YOUR NEEDS."
19. "DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE." (Judge not, lest ye be judged.)
20. "DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLS
BEFORE SWINE."

21. "ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE." (Seek, and ye shall
find.)
22. "FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS,
COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS."
23. "FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE." (Enter by the narrow gate.)
24. "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS."
25. "EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS."
26. "LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM."
27. "DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES 'MASTER' OR 'FATHER' FOR YOURSELF."
28. "RESOLVE DISPUTES IN AN ORDERLY WAY, LIKE THIS . . . "
29. "DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR
GROUP."
30. "HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING."

31. "BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN." (Go, and do likewise.)
32. "LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"
33. "EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME."
34. "WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET."
35. "BE MERCIFUL."
36. "GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM."
37. "KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."
38. "BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN."
<><

O Lord, I know that You are waiting here,
For me to let You come into my life.
I know that You are knocking on the door,
And now I pray that You will enter in.
* * *
I pray that You will come into my life,
As Lord and Saviour, ruling over me.
I know that You are truly Son of God,
I know that You have risen from the dead,
I know that only You can save my soul.
I need Your guidance, and I need Your love;
I want to follow everywhere You lead.
I truly do repent of all my sins;
I feel remorse for evil I have done;
I know that only You can make me clean.
I turn my back on sin and look to You.
I am forgiving all who did me harm,
As You are now forgiving all my sins.
And now as I commit myself to You,
I pray that You commit Yourself to me.
I pray that You will take me as I am,
And draw me, step-by-step, into Your arms.
In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.
<><
Blessings to you in Jesus Christ, our Lord! If you said this prayer
sincerely, you are now a Christian. Congratulations!
Now, what next? You have made the committment to Jesus, so what should you
do now? Write to me and tell me! Then, go tell the first practicing
Christian you can find. He (she) will know what to do next. And also
please see . . .

THE SCRIPTURAL MANDATE TO LOVE OTHER PEOPLE
"Love All People As Yourself."
The Bible states it very clearly, so there can be no possible
misunderstanding: the Law Of Love fulfills the whole Law of God.

THE LAW OF LOVE
_____________________________________________________________

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14 RSV)
_____________________________________________________________

And who is your neighbor? Everyone is your neighbor. This is shown in the
Parable Of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37, shown below). Therefore,
"Love your neighbor as yourself" really means "Love all people as
yourself," because everyone is our neighbor.
But what about love for God? Doesn't that come first? Yes, but God counts
our love for others as if it were love for Himself. So when we love
others, we are loving Him at the same time. This is shown in the Parable
Of The Sheep And The Goats (Matthew 25:31-46, in the Appendix below). And
we cannot claim to love God until we first love our fellow man.

_____________________________________________________________
If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a
liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20 RSV)
_____________________________________________________________
But what about The Ten Commandments? Aren't we supposed to obey them? Yes,
but The Ten Commandments are only an approximation of what God wants from
us. The Pharisees obeyed all of the Ten Commandments, yet God was very
displeased with them because they did not have love. The exact thing God
wants from us is that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Everything else depends on this.

But what about holiness? Aren't we supposed to avoid improper sex, etc.
and be pure and chaste? Aren't we supposed to deny our physical selves in
order to strengthen our spiritual selves? Maybe so, but our feeble
attempts at being holy do not even come close to God's high standards. To
Him, they are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But if we have love for
others, God will overlook a multitude of our sins (1 Peter 4:8). And if we
forgive others of their offenses against us, He will forgive us of our
offenses against Him (Matthew 5:14-15). Love makes everything holy, since
God is love (1 John 4:8, 4:16).

So all of God's requirements for mankind boil down to this one command:
"YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." If you truly do this one thing
only, it is enough. It then doesn't matter if you fall short on some of
the dozens of others. But if you do not do this, all of the others
together are not enough. This is the big one, more important than all the
others combined.

TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED
The best way to express your love for other people is to always follow The
Golden Rule, "Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."
http://www.loveallpeople.org/golden.htmlTHERE IS ONE UNDERLYING RULE FOR RIGHT AND WRONG BEHAVIOR:

"TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED."
This rule is known as "The Golden Rule." Some version of it is found in
most religions, yet it establishes no particular religion; it leads to
harmony among all people; it is the foundation of Democracy; and it leads
to the political goal of "Greatest Good For The Greatest Number, With
Basic Rights For All."

To apply the Golden Rule, simply ask yourself "How would you like to be
treated in the same situation?" Then treat the other person that way. TWO
NOTES:(1) When we say, "Treat others as you would like to be treated,"
this includes all other people, not merely those who happen to be with us
at the moment. So we must also consider the impact of our actions on all
other people, not only those immediately before us. (2) When we say "in
the same situation," this means that our roles and personalities must be
mentally reversed, so that we see the situation from the other person's
point of view, trying to understand his needs and desires as if they were
our own. Also, we need to apply the "Rational Man" standard,
long-established in Law. The Golden Rule does not require us to grant
irrational requests made by insane persons.
If you need further help in applying the Golden Rule to your particular
situation, please visit
Golden Rule Solutions. -
http://www.loveallpeople.org/goldenrulesolutions.htmlhttp://www.loveallpeople.org/golden.html

LEARN HOW TO ENJOY OTHER PEOPLE
The common experience of mankind is that if you enjoy someone, it is easy
to love them; but if you do not enjoy them, then it is hard to love them.
So we see that enjoying other people is a big part of loving them.
It is difficult to love other people if we do not enjoy them.

Here are four things to do, which will help you enjoy other people . . .
1. First, set your mind on doing it. Recognize that God wants you to enjoy
other people, not only because He wants you to be able to love them, but
also because He loves you and wants you to have more enjoyment for
yourself! So you have God's complete permission to enjoy other people,
maybe far more than you ever imagined.

3. For each thing you enjoy about that person (above), please think of a
complete sentence which expresses your thought. For instance, "I enjoy
watching her smile," or "I enjoy the pleasing sound of his voice." Then
say that sentence out loud, to yourself. Or better yet, tell it to someone
else.

4. If there are things you do not enjoy about that person, do not express
those thoughts in words, because that would make you think about them even
more. But instead, think to yourself one of the following explanations:

"Maybe they can't help it." or
"Maybe they have their own good reasons for being that way." or

"Maybe they don't realize what they are doing."

In other words, give them a good excuse for whatever it is that you do not
enjoy.
If you will do these things, you will be well on your way to developing
your love for others, as well as increasing your own personal enjoyment in
your life.

INCREASE YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS BY DOING GOOD TO THEM
It is a happy fact of human nature, that we increase our love for others
by doing good to them. The more good we do to other people, the more our
love for them increases. Try it for yourself, and you will see.
IF WE LOVE, WE MUST FORGIVE
If we love them, we must forgive them. Just as God loves us and has
forgiven us, we must also forgive them. If we will not forgive others, God
will not forgive us! Simple as that. People who claim to be Christians but
who will not forgive are merely deceiving themselves.

A METHOD OF GRANTING FORGIVENESS

FORGIVE EVERYBODY FOR EVERYTHING BAD THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU OR YOURS

But you may say, "I know I should forgive them, but it is very hard to do.
How can I do it? What should I do?"

JESUS ENABLES US TO LOVE OTHERS AS OURSELF
By our own flawed human nature, it is almost impossible to love others as
we love ourself. Maybe some few people can do it, but most people cannot
even come close. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, His Holy
Spirit enters us and dwells within us, transforming our flawed nature into
a more perfect nature, more like His own.
=> Jesus Enables Us To Love Others As Ourself -
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/pearl-jesusenables.html

THE TWENTY-ONE GREATEST IDEAS IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Love is the true basis of all proper human relationships. And these are
some of the best ways to express love to others. => The Twenty-One
Greatest Ideas In Human Relationships -
http://www.loveallpeople.org/the21.html1. "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." - 2. FORGIVE THE OTHER PERSON. - 3.
TREAT THE OTHER PERSON THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED. - 4. SMILE
AND BE FRIENDLY. - 5. BE COURTEOUS. - 6. BE TRUTHFUL, WITHOUT GIVING
OFFENSE - 7. REMEMBER THE OTHER PERSON'S NAME, AND USE IT FREQUENTLY. - 8.
DON'T ARGUE. - 9. FIND AREAS OF AGREEMENT. - 10. DON'T CRITICIZE. - 11.
SHOW HONEST APPRECIATION. - 12. TRY TO SEE THE OTHER PERSON'S POINT OF
VIEW. - 13. GIVE YOUR FULL ATTENTION TO THE OTHER PERSON WHEN HE IS
TALKING. - 14. TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON'S INTERESTS. - 15. ADMIT YOU
MAY BE WRONG. - 16. LET THE OTHER PERSON DO MOST OF THE TALKING. - 17. LET
THE OTHER PERSON TALK ABOUT HIMSELF. - 18. LET THE OTHER PERSON TAKE SOME
CREDIT. - 19. LET THE OTHER PERSON SAVE FACE. - 20. HOLD THE OTHER PERSON,
AND YOURSELF, TO HIGH AND NOBLE STANDARDS. - 21. GO THE EXTRA MILE. -
Details here => http://www.loveallpeople.org/the21.html -
http://www.loveallpeople.org/the21.html

HOW TO LOVE STRANGERS

It is easy to love those who already know you and love you. So here is the
way to love strangers.
First, Give Them What They Ask For - unless you have a good reason not to
do so.
Next, Give Them What They Really Want - as best you can determine it.

Finally, Give Them What They Clearly Need - but do not assume too much.

Always Follow The Law Of Love And The Golden Rule ("Love your neighbor as
yourself," and "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

When we pray for someone, the conversation is between us and the Lord.
When we give our blessings, however, the conversation is between us and
the other person directly, with the Lord listening in, observing.

A blessing is the opposite of a curse. As Christians, we almost never want
to curse anybody for anything. In contrast, we should dispense our
blessings freely, whenever the Spirit leads us to do so.

There are two proven formats for giving a blessing to other people. You
can give it directly to them, using the word "May," followed by whatever
good things you want them to receive. Or you can invoke the Lord's help,
using the words "May the Lord," followed by whatever good things you want
Him to give them. Here are examples . . .

Examples Of Direct Blessings
"May you have a safe trip home, with no difficulties of any kind."
"May your days be filled with joy."

"May your pain subside and your illness go away."

"May you get the job you are trying to obtain."

"May your grief pass by like a cloud, and may peace return to your heart."

"May your heart be filled with joy at this moment of happiness for you."

Examples Of Blessings Which Invoke The Lord's Help
"May the Lord richly bless you as you continue your work in His behalf."
"May the Lord give you a safe trip home, with no problems of any kind."

"May the Lord wipe away your tears and give you peace of mind."

"May the Lord bring love and harmony into your home."

* * *
So don't be shy. Just go ahead and start blessing people, as the Spirit
leads. When Holy Spirit prompts you to give a blessing, do it! Just walk
right up to the other person, maybe shake their hand or touch them, look
them in the eye, and pronounce your blessing on them.
They will recognize immediatly that this is a major expression of love,
and they will *always* appreciate it.

Be sure to give Christ the glory by identifying yourself as a Christian.
The Lord *loves* to use imperfect vessels for His work, so don't feel
unworthy if you are less than a "perfect" Christian. You are *always*
authorized to dispense love to other people: ALWAYS!

The gift of listening - The gift of signs of affection - The gift of a
note - The gift of laughter - The gift of compliment - The gift of a favor
- The gift of leaving alone - The gift of a cheerful disposition - The
gift of a game - The gift of prayer.
- Author unknown - Sent to me by William W. Waggener III,
wwagener@earthlink.net

PRAY FOR PEOPLE, EVEN THOSE WHO MAY HATE YOU AND WISH YOU HARM
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good
to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;" - Jesus speaking, Matthew 5:44
Here's an example you can follow (from 1998). Clearly the USA did not
follow this example.

Bedrock Scriptures, And Their Clear Meanings In Modern English
Build Your Faith On These

If you memorize these scriptures, and understand them, and make them a
constant part of your life, you will never go far wrong.
NOTE: Please also see the HTML page at =
http://www.loveallpeople.org/pearl-bedrockscriptures.html, which also
links to an MP3 audio reading of these scriptures.

- LoveAllPeople.org
Normal, Everyday Life In Harmony With The Will Of God
Day-To-Day Living With The Lord
By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org
To support us, please visit the advertisers on our pages.

Some people prefer a private type of religion, where they simply want to
live their lives in a normal everyday manner, in harmony with the will of
God. They don't want to save any souls, or lead any movements, or be a
conspicuous "religious person" in any way.

Such people are acceptable to God, although He would prefer that they take
a more open active stance for Him. And He reserves his best blessings for
those who openly and boldly express their love and devotion to Him.

Nevertheless, He loves and accepts those who simply want to live in
private accord with His will for them.

For these people, here is all they really need to do: THE BARE MINIMUM . .
.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." (John 3:16 KJV)

2. Follow the Golden Rule, which is, "Treat Others The Way You Would Like
To Be Treated."
Click HERE! to find out more about the Golden Rule =>
http://www.loveallpeople.org/golden.htmlJesus teaches that all of God's law is embodied in the Golden Rule.

The Golden Rule

_____________________________________________________________

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
(Matthew 7:12 KJV)
_____________________________________________________________

If you do these two things alone, you will meet all of God's minimum
requirements. You will have a full and rich life on earth, and you will
have an eternity in heaven after you leave this life. You will NOT reach
your highest potential, and you will not receive the highest blessings.
(To achieve these things, you would need to seek Him actively and to
desire intensely to be ever-closer to Him at all times.) But you will be
okay. And for many people, this is all they seek.

If you are looking for a spiritual home, please visit our website at =>
InternetChurchOfChrist.org
*** Bible-Based, Christian, Progressive, Universalist ***
All of our original content on all of our web pages is in the Public
Domain. You may link to these pages by any means you choose, including
"framing."

To support us, please visit the advertisers appearing on our pages.

We are . . . LoveAllPeople.org - Teaching the practical Christian life.
"Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."

God wants us to love Him and seek Him. If we ask for more of Him, He will
give it. In general, sin grieves the Holy Spirit and drives Him away. Love
pleases the Holy Spirit and attracts Him to us. When we please the Holy
Spirit, we draw Him into us in greater measure. Holy Communion is
extremely important, directly commanded by Jesus. We don't know how, but
it works to infuse us with more Holy Spirit.
Details at => http://www.loveallpeople.org/pearl-getmoreholyspirit.htmlMore like this at => http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/pearlindx.html.